Frigid Armadillo are ready for new challenges in 2025
Following a string of chart-topping hits and an international tour in 2024, Frigid Armadillo feels “hungrier” than ever before as the year draws to a close.
The musical duo which comprises Lebo Lechela and Siyabulela Buhlungu added that they are thrilled to see what 2025 has in store for them.
“We're at a point in our lives where we feel like we've laid the groundwork for easy access,” they explained in a recent interview.
“We don't want to be complacent with the opportunities we've been given so while we are cautious, we are hungrier than ever for new challenges.”
The Afro-house duo, who met while studying in Johannesburg, have earned widespread acclaim since they released their debut album, “Roam in a Day” in 2020.
This offering received praise from the LP Giobbi, Sam Divine and Black Coffee via his “BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix”. It was also included in the illustrious “Defected Festival’s” official 2021 “Afro House Mix”.
Their next offering, which was part of Goliath’s “Footprint” EP, charted at No 1 on the Itunes Dance chart in South Africa.
Meanwhile, their “Humanity” EP also ranked at No 1 on Apple Music spots in Botswana and Canada and No 2 in the U.S.
The duo’s latest single “Make You Mine”, alongside El Mukuka and Muneyi, which was released in October, has also been a hit.
“The song emphasises the emotions tied to romantic attraction and the longing to connect deeply with someone,” they explained.
“It speaks to the excitement of discovering someone who sparks both emotional and physical interest.”
They added: “This connection is portrayed as something meaningful and sincere, with Muneyi painting a character who is expressing his desire to move beyond surface-level interactions and build a more genuine bond.”
Lechela and Buhlungu said that being a part of this project was a “no-brainer” for them.
“Sometimes you forget the fun of music and it's easy to get so stuck into trying to 'find the hit' that you lose yourself in the business of music and no longer focus on the reasons why this all started.”
“When El approached us, we immediately heard the song and the nostalgic feeling of being on a swing in the middle of a playground came flooding back.”
“We instantly knew we wanted to be involved because the euphoria of fun is the entire reason we started doing this in the first place and anything that allows us to replicate that emotion is sure to bring out our best.”
They said that the response to the song has been largely positive so far.
“Naturally you can never please anyone but the reception has mostly been great.”
“It's yet to find its place on mainstages but we can only trust that soon to come.”
Meanwhile, the duo explained that their recent European tour, where they performed in several locations on the continent for the first time, is one of their current career highlights.
“Being a new experience and seeing how we are received by new audiences has been the deepest into unchartered waters we've found ourselves thus far.”
“The experience was both gratifying and scary and it has definitely been a career highlight to date.”
And while Frigid Armadillo has worked with top artists, they insisted that they are unable to name their favourite collaboration.
“Choosing our favourite collaborator is like choosing our favourite song, impossible.”
“Each one brings something special to the table, like how every song has its own vibe for the moment.”
They added: “Sometimes you want something smooth and soulful, other times you’re in the mood for a banger that gets everyone moving.”
“Every collaboration we've had is meaningful in its own way, like a playlist that perfectly captures the highs, the lows and all the in-between moments.
And in terms of their collaboration wish list, they said that they are “always open to working with producers whose ideas gel with ours.”
Frigid Armadillo also explained that they rely on their emotions to decide what projects to be a part of.
“Feelings never lie and we can't get into projects with any ulterior motive because authenticity cannot be feigned.”
In regards to what fans can expect from them in the coming months, they said that they have “a ton of projects in the pipeline.”
“Deciding the order of releases is proving to be a bit of a headache but we are planning on releasing a single with our good friend and big brother, Sun-El Musician, early next year.”
“From there, we hit the road running with the slew of projects that we need to feed our fans to keep dancefloors thumping and playlists full.”